Thursday, March 24, 2011

2011 logistics primer

My usual timetable calls for posting logistical details two months from now. However, by popular request of some CoeBRAI virgins, I submit for your review the following primer.

Anyone who is planning to have their bike shipped can certainly ship it to me at Coe. But if you’re shipping it anyway, it makes more sense to ship it directly to Glenwood and then home from Davenport. That way we don’t have to load it and haul it across Iowa. Shipping information is available here.

I’m going to assume that all of you are riding with us from Cedar Rapids to Glenwood and back to Cedar Rapids from Davenport, although I know that’s not the case for some of you. Please inform me of your plans so we can plan accordingly.

We will be having a spaghetti dinner/pre-load opportunity on Friday, July 22 at Coe. Dinner at 6 p.m. followed by loading of as many bikes as are ready to go. Please let me know whether or not you can attend and if you’ll be bringing guests. This really makes things easier on Saturday and provides an opportunity to get to know your teammates. Loading begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 23 at Eby Fieldhouse on the Coe campus with a planned departure of 10 a.m. Those flying in may want to know that we’ll shoot for a late afternoon return to Cedar Rapids on Saturday, July 30.

Housing may or may not be available at Coe before and/or after RAGBRAI for anyone who needs it. If you need accommodations, please let me know. In the past we’ve been able to put people up at Coe and I hope to offer that again this year.

I know some of you are unsure what to bring, so here are some tips from the RAGBRAI folks, plus a few of my own.

Please put identification on everything you take on RAGBRAI. Lost items can be returned to owners.

Bicycle equipment: Helmet is #1. Bicycle shops can handle most any mechanical need you have, but you might consider bringing a small repair kit that includes a tire, spare tube, tire irons and small wrenches. (I've survived on spare tubes and chain lube. As long as you get your bike serviced before RAGBRAI, it should be good to go.) In addition, a rear view mirror, bike gloves, pump, bike bag, rain gear, bicycle lock and water bottles are necessary equipment. (A lock isn't really necessary either, from my experience.)

Camping equipment: You'll need a duffle bag (or, in our case, a 30-gallon plastic tub, such as the one pictured here), sleeping bag, pillow, pad, tent, ground cloth, rope, stakes and a flashlight. (A collapsible chair will also come in handy. It need not fit into your plastic tub, nor does your tent.) The tubs are just a handy way to tote items from town to town and also offer protection from the rain. For extra protection, pack what you can in large ziplock bags. I have a small supply of tubs should anyone, particularly out-of-towners, wish to use them. The one-tub-per-person rule will be strictly enforced. On RAGBRAI, less is more.

Clothes: T-shirts, shorts, a jacket, pants, warm-up suit, underwear, socks, shoes, sandals, sleepwear, swimsuit and sweatbands/bandannas should get you through the week. (Two sets of biking attire are sufficient from my experience -- one to wear and one to dry out after "washing" it in the shower. Remember that you will be getting a CoeBRAI jersey and some of you also ordered a RAGBRAI jersey. Remember also that each overnight town has a t-shirt they would like to sell you. Be sure to bring padded biking shorts!)

Food: Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided in camp. You may also want to bring a box of Power Bars and keep one on your bike for when you need a quick energy boost, but don't want to wait in line for pie. Many of our hosts will be providing dinner. Out of courtesy to them, please don’t linger on the route until late and then expect dinner to be left out for your late arrival. Anything else you may want or need can be purchased by our support crew during their daily store run.

Electronics: Cell phone service is usually epically spotty with the crush of people. But we will have charging stations available in camp. Please send me the number of the cell phone you will have with you and also the name and contact information of your emergency contact. Computers, cameras, breathing apparatus, etc., should all be fair game since we have hosts in each overnight and are not chancing our luck with the RAGBRAI campgrounds.

Also, our support crew will be updating our CoeBRAI rider bill of rights. This is mostly common sense expectations to ensure that your enjoyment of RAGBRAI doesn’t impede anyone else’s enjoyment of RAGBRAI. Here are a few highlights from last year:
• Most riders want to get a good night’s sleep. Please keep the campgrounds reasonably quiet and keep the noise down after 9 p.m. This is especially important if you are coming back to camp late after enjoying the festivities of the host town. Keep in mind that many riders are on the road at 6 a.m. Be as courteous to them late at night as you want them to be early in the morning.
• The camp site should be left cleaner than we found it. Please pick up after yourself, and respect the property of our benevolent host families.
• Dinner will be served from 6–7 p.m. Anyone arriving after that time will be on their own for dinner. Plan ahead for this contingency.
• Please keep your showers to a maximum of 5 minutes to avoid overloading the host families’ facilities and so others need not wait all night for a turn.
• The Coe staff and faculty on this trip are on vacation too; so, please pitch-in and help around camp.
• The drivers are paid, but they have specific responsibilities. They drive the truck, stake out our camp site each day, and keep the water jugs filled.
• The drivers will set-up and tear down your tent all week for an extra fee.
• The drivers will go shopping for you if you give them money. No CoeBRAI funds will be used to purchase alcohol. Legal age riders may bring their own alcoholic beverages or have the drivers make purchases for them and bring it back to camp.
• The drivers transport gear from site to site; however, it is not their job to load your equipment. Please load your gear onto (not beside) the truck before departing each morning.
• You signed up to ride your bike, so take full advantage of the opportunity. If you feel the need to ride the truck for a day or two, consider yourself part of the support team and pitch in as you are able. On the same note, non-bikers should shower during the day before riders begin to arrive.
• Team CoeBRAI strives to be good stewards of our environment. Please help us minimize waste by making use of reusable cups provided in camp.
• Be polite. Be kind. Be laid back. The spirit of RAGBRAI is about having good times with good people. Keep in mind that you are representing Coe College. All behavior – good and bad – reflects on the sponsoring institution.
• Please respect others people’s property. The good natured vibe of RAGBRAI creates an environment where there are thousands of expensive bikes and gear laying around unattended with very few thefts.
• Remember the RAGBRAI credo: If you’re not having fun yet, lower your expectations.
• Team CoeBRAI motto: Roll with it!

Gear

Waiver of Liability

Neither CoeCollege nor the Coe RAGBRAI® Organizing Committee (aka Team CoeBRAI) accept any liability for your personal health or safety. You waive all claims against anyone associated with RAGBRAI®, including Coe College and the Coe RAGBRAI® Organizing Committee (aka Team CoeBRAI), when you sign the official RAGBRAI® AGREEMENT, WAIVER & RELEASE OF LIABILITY. Read it before you sign it! Riding in motor vehicles, riding bicycles, being out in the weather, eating food prepared by strangers, etc., all entail a degree of risk. You assume that risk.